222 too sure as to our charismatic identity. I believe that the beatifi cation opened our eyes to the necessity of continuously deepening our charism. What needs to be improved? I believe that we do not live out our charism suffi ciently. I see the beatifi cation as a time for renewal and re-founding the way that the theology of consecrated life speaks about it. However, I fear that we may stop at beautiful inspirations and resolutions. At the same time, I hope that the seed, which the beatifi cation planted in our hearts, will blossom and produce concrete fruits in the life of every Marian. Marek Szczepaniak, MIC Italy, Rome, Vicar General and House Superior The beatifi cation brought us all great joy and satisfaction. At last, our Founder was elevated to the glory of the altars! There is an atmosphere of joy and thanksgiving to God for this gift. It was possible to organize our schedules in such a manner, that all of the members of the General House were able to participate in the beatifi cation festivities. A mosaic image of the new Blessed was placed in a central place in the chapel. I’m sure it encourages our refl ection and prayer through his intercession. We were given our Founder’s many written works and other printed materials to help our meditations during the monthly days of recollection. All we have to do now is to fi nd the time to read and to ponder them all. Undoubtedly, these materials will enrich our ongoing formation. I don’t know what each of us feels inside, but on the outside, I don’t see any particular revival, spiritual awakening, or any signifi cant improvement of communal life, participation in communal prayers, etc… And yet, Fr. Stanislaus was a “stickler,” an ascetic, a lover of the religious way of life, which he treated very seriously. Even the celebrations on May 18th on the fi rst anniversary of his beatifi cation weren’t any more enthusiastic than any other similar event. Certainly, the House Superior (meaning myself) was at fault, but there were no grass-root initiatives, either. I don’t wish to sound pessimistic, which I’m not by nature, but I didn’t notice any special “outburst.” Naturally, we work a lot; there has been and still is a lot going on in the matters dedicated to our Founder and now in the matters of the 100th Anniversary of the Congregation’s Renewal. The General House has this purpose: to work for the benefi t of the entire Congregation. The General always comes up with new ideas and then “puts us to work.” However, I believe that in this whirl of occupations, we forget ourselves, we neglect ourselves… and Saint Paul does not approve of it. The nature of the miracle that led to Fr. Papczyński’s beatifi cation is that we have begun to see him more clearly as a “protector” of life, a “patron” of the •
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